Lake Smoke

Alex liked to be off early on his journey
down the chain of lakes. As he pushed his red
fiberglass canoe into the placid lake waters,
the light of dawn filtered through the haze.

Trees on the far shore were invisible from
the peninsula where he’d camped. The cool autumn
morning had settled on the still warm water.
Lake smoke lay thick and heavy as if clouds

had descended en masse to quench their thirst.
Though appearing innocent like cotton puffs, their
menace forced motorized craft cling to their moorings.
He paddled toward where the far shore must be.

When its ghostly dark green silhouette appeared,
he steered north piercing one fog bank after another.
He was spooked by the haunting yodel of a loon
trying to locate its mate, the call so raucous,

the bird must be nearby. He peered for it in vain.
What he did see ahead was a long brown
object floating in the water. At first glance,
a log, but when it turned and headed towards

him his gut tightened. As it got closer the image
sharpened to show a cow moose swimming across
the lake. She showed no concern for him or his canoe
and swam by in concert with her own compass.

Alex relished pushing his body but today felt drained.
Still, he stroked on into the murk always keeping
the trees in sight, as he headed for the boat landing
where the food his body needed would be waiting.

He paddled on till his arms, back, and neck protested.
When he was about spent, he saw a spur of land
protruding into the lake, a good place to rest
and get his bearings. He must be almost there.

Alex beached his canoe, walked fifty paces,
then entered the campsite he’d just vacated.